Trent Baalke Fired by 49ers: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

After six seasons, Trent Baalke confirmed has been fired as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. 

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the 49ers were going to fire Baalke along with head coach Chip Kelly. 

“It was the right thing to do,” Baalke said, per Kevin Jones of KNBR.com “This is a class organization. You know, I’ve been here since 2005 and I have a lot of respect for the organization as a whole, and the ownership, the fan base. It’s difficult, but it’s the right thing to do.”

This move has seemingly been in the works dating back to early December, when NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said during an appearance on KNBR 1050 Baalke appeared to be in trouble:

“(Baalke) might be in some danger,” Rapoport said. “That will play itself out. I know Trent has said himself, this falls on him, and if they go 3-13, 2-14 or whatever, and he’s said what he’s said, it’s tough not to point the finger at him especially when he’s already pointed the finger at himself.”

Baalke also said he wasn’t surprised at the move to part way, per Jones:

It didn’t surprise me. We’ve done some awful good things. Some very successful seasons. Unfortunately regret we weren’t able to bring a championship to the Bay Area, which they so deserve. I think The Faithful has been great. Wish this organization nothing but the best moving forward. I do see a bright future for them.

The 49ers hired Baalke as their general manager in January 2011, days before the team would bring on Jim Harbaugh as head coach.

The duo of Harbaugh and Baalke seemed like it would bring the franchise back to the top of the NFL for a long time. The 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship Game in each of their first three years together, as well as an appearance in the Super Bowl in February 2013. 

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